Page 43 of Falling for the Wrong Guy

“And that is where the pirate similarities end. If I get them returned to the owner, Quinn’s sentence will be reduced to time served.”

“Well, why not just ask Quinn the location of the coins?” The question upset him.

“Quinn is in a coma. He suffered a terrible beating in prison. Word got around that Quinn knew the location of a box of very valuable coins, and they—” He couldn’t finish.

“They tried to beat it out of him,” I said. “That’s just awful. Is he expected to recover?”

Dex shrugged. “Not sure. But I raced to his bedside in the prison hospital and asked him where the coins were. He told me Whisper Cove rocks, and he said the words ‘lyin’ talk.’ They were the last words he spoke before he slipped into the coma.”

“I hate to burst this evening’s treasure hunt bubble, but this is not Whisper Cove. Do you think he meant near Whisper Cove?”

“I wish I knew for sure. But since we’re here.”

I’d pulled my phone out, too, and we both spent a few minutes shining their light beams into dark recesses in the rock. I was also on the lookout for angry crabs. At least this time I wasn’t barefoot.

“It seems to me that he wouldn’t have just put the box down somewhere where it could be easily found.” I turned in Dex’s direction. “Or maybe he did, and those coins are long gone.”

“I considered that, only I think a find like that would end up in the papers.”

“Unless the finder decided not to make it public. But I think you’re right. Most people would not hide a discovery like that.” I directed the light into another crevice and found a lump of seaweed but no box. “Dex, what if he hid it somewhere in the town of Whisper Cove? I can’t think of where at the moment, but maybe it’s in town.”

“I thought that but where do the rocks come in? There doesn’t happen to be a rock and gem store called Lyin’ Talk in town?”

“Not that I know of and I pretty much know every corner of town. Are you sure you heard the words right?”

“The two goons who walked into the café had the same clues. I managed tocoaxthe information out of them.”

“Coax? You didn’t?—”

“Let’s just say if they didn’t spill what they knew, they would have spent a very cold night out on the rocks below the lighthouse. I know Quinn, and he probably kept his mouth shut right up till the end, but he told his attackers that the coins were in the rocks.”

“Who did that to him?”

“The prison has been very secretive on details. That’s standard practice, apparently. They keep reports on beatings and murders inside the cells quiet. They try to treat the victims in-house, but the conditions are not ideal for someone to recuperate, especially someone with extensive injuries like Quinn. I managed to get some county hospital doctors to get Quinn moved to their care.”

“He’s lucky to have you as a friend. I can’t help but think Kellan made a mistake pushing you out of his life.”

Dex chuckled but it was a sad sound. “Trust me, he would not agree with you on that.”

“He disagreed with a lot of things I said. I see that now as I reflect back on our relationship. Not sure why I let it go on so long. I guess it’s just that societal pressure for a single woman to find someone. Kellan fit the bill for the perfectly suitable boyfriend. I’ve just never been interested in perfectly suitable.”

“Lucky for me because I’ve never been called perfectly anything, especially suitable.” Dex walked over and pulled me into his arms. “I know this still feels really shaky and strange and, if I’m being honest, unbelievable considering how the week started, but I like you, Aria. And I’m not just saying that because you’re my boss. I think I knew almost the second I crouched next to you on the dock. You were wet and cold and angry and incredibly beautiful, and all I could think was—why did that damn gull have to pick this morning to be an idiot?”

I laughed and cuddled into his warm embrace. “And what are you thinking about your bird now?”

“I’m thinking he’s the smartest bird a pirate could ask for.”

ChapterTwenty-Seven

Dex

Aria had never officially offered me the job, but since day three moved on without a hitch other than the occasional breaks in work to flirt and smile at each other, I assumed the job was mine. We left work with plans to see each other for dinner, nothing fancy, just pizza and a movie. So much for taking things slow.

I had a few hours, so after leaving the café, I took my paperwork to the DMV to get the boat registered. I put the stickers on the boat, happy to have a possible legal problem solved. Then I continued my search for the coins by walking along one of the rock jetties near the marina. It was a brisk day, but several men had settled themselves on the rocks and tossed their fishing lines into the water. I was glad I’d left Gus at home, or he would have been standing right next to the men cheering them on in his cheeky way.

I walked along the rocks. The sun was low in the sky but still reflecting strands of light off the water’s surface. From the tip of the jetty I could see from one end of the cove to the other, and what I saw was disappointing. I’d combed most of the rocky sites with no luck. It was starting to feel as if I’d taken on an impossible task.

I walked the side with the two fishermen on the way back, glancing into crevices and moving a few rocks around with my boot.

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